Erik Whyte of University tries to get off a pass during Tuesday's playoff game. PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY WATER POLO

University's boys water polo team jumped out to an early start against Huntington Beach Tuesday in a wild card round of the CIF Division 1 playoffs and never let up.

The Trojans held a 3-1 lead after the first quarter and wound up winning, 11-6, at Woodbridge behind a balanced scoring attack.

Griffin Chappell and Todd Denaro scored three goals each to lead the Trojans, who advance into the opening round Wednesday at 5 p.m. against Dana Hills at San Juan Hills.

"We were in control," said University Coach Andy Coffman.

Huntington Beach played most of the match without its top player, Jovan Jeremic, who apparently took an inadvertent hit to the forehead early in the match. Jeremic came out of the pool saying he couldn't see and did not return.

It was not clear the extent of his injury.

"They lost their best player at the beginning of the game so they weren't at full strength, obviously," Coffman said. "He's their best player and it's unfortunate when that happens.

"I'm glad we got the win, but I wish they could have been at full strength the entire time. It would have been a little more fulfilling."

Coffman said he did not see the play when Jeremic was injured.

The Trojans played one of their best matches from start to finish.

"They did a good job taking away (Jake) Sanders so whoever was open needed to step up and make some shots," Coffman said. "They have a really good goalie and fortunately we were able to put away some of those shots.

"They put the shots away, I'm not happy with our ejection ratio. I think we are not playing the smartest defense and we're fortunate we had a good offensive output."

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